Aldi submits proposals for new discount store on the site of the former Northampton Chronicle & Echo building

Paul Lynch

Plans for an Aldi supermarket and residential development on the site of the former Chronicle & Echo building have been submitted to Northampton Borough Council.

The major discount firm, which has more than 540 stores across the UK, intends to build its fourth store in the town on the Upper Mounts.

The former Chron building was demolished throughout last year and if the company’s bid is successful, around 20 per cent of the site will be reserved for a future housing development accessed via Great Russell Street.

A spokesperson for Aldi said the application is ‘being processed by the council’ and said the company would let the community know when and how they can comment on the application soon.

“We would like to thank the local community for their support to date and hope residents will continue to support the plans now they have been submitted,” the spokesperson continued.

“We believe this proposal offers a real opportunity to increase local shopping choice and bring a prominent, well-known site back into use for the community.”

A design and access statement compiled by Birmingham architects Dalkin Scotton Partnership shows how the proposed Aldi store would be accessed from Earl Street. The car park will have trees and shrubs planted around the perimeter.

At a previous consultation in October representatives of the firm said the new store would create up to 40 jobs.

If approved by Northampton Borough Council, It will be the fourth Aldi store in Northampton, after permission was also granted to build another store in Kingsthorpe. Another two already exist in St James and Weston Favell.